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Pancreatitis in childhood.

Inflammatory disease of the pancreas falls into two major classifications: acute and chronic. Acute pancreatitis is a reversible process, whereas chronic pancreatitis produces irreversible changes in the architecture and function of the pancreas. The recent finding that mutations in the gene encoding cationic trypsinogen are associated with hereditary pancreatitis, the identification of genes that increase the risk for developing chronic pancreatitis, and advances in cell biology have contributed greatly to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms leading to pancreatitis. Although pancreatitis is less common in children than in adults, it still occurs with regularity and should be considered in any child with acute or chronic abdominal pain. The major difference between pancreatitis in children and adults lies in the etiologies and outcome of acute pancreatitis and in the etiology of chronic pancreatitis. The treatment of acute and chronic pancreatitis is similar at all ages.

Acute Disease↗

Management of chronic pancreatitis. Focus on enzyme replacement therapy.

The goals of treatment with pancreatic extracts in patients with chronic relapsing pancreatitis are twofold: pain relief and control of maldigestion caused by exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Experience with the use of pancreatic enzymes for analgesic purposes suggests that the less severe the pain, the greater the analgesic effect of these enzymes. However, the number of trials, as well as the number of patients treated, is fairly small and more studies in larger patient populations are needed. The use of pancreatic enzymes for maldigestion owing to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency which is secondary to chronic pancreatitis, pancreatectomy, cystic fibrosis, or GI bypass surgery incurs several problems. These problems are primarily caused by gastric inactivation of the enzymes, low enzyme activity of many commercial preparations and/or poor patient compliance. Treatment with conventional enzyme products (powdered extracts, enteric-coated tablets or capsules) has been disappointing. At best, results were inconsistent, showing a high degree of individual variation. The introduction of enzyme preparations in the form of pH-sensitive enteric-coated microspheres in hard gelatin capsules represents a significant advance. These microspheres are superior to conventional enzyme preparations in improving the symptoms of pancreatic insufficiency, particularly steatorrhea, where low doses of microspheres are as effective as large doses of conventional enzyme preparations. Steatorrhea, however, is rarely completely resolved. In cases refractory to therapy, treatment with the combination of pH-sensitive enteric-coated microspheres and H2-antagonists or prostaglandins has met with some success.

Chronic Disease↗

Juvenile idiopathic fibrosing pancreatitis.

Chronic pancreatitis is a rare differential diagnosis of obstructive jaundice and/or recurrent abdominal pain in childhood and adolescence. The hereditary calcifying and the noncalcifying obstructive form are the two major forms of juvenile chronic pancreatitis. Other causes include cystic fibrosis, hyperparathyroidism, hyperlipoproteinemia and ascariasis. Even less common is the so called idiopathic or fibrosing pancreatitis. Since the first description by Comfort in 1946 only 41 further cases of juvenile idiopathic fibrosing pancreatitis have been published. An association with gene mutations (PRSS1, SPINK1, CTFR-5T genotype) is suspected. We report the cases of a 17-year-old male patient who presented with painless obstructive jaundice and a 16-year-old female patient who presented with abdominal pain and obstructive jaundice. Both patients underwent surgical treatment with duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection. The relevant literature with special regard to modern pancreatic surgery is reviewed to give an overview about this rare but surgically treatable pediatric condition, which merits the attention of pediatricians and gastroenterologists in cases of children and adolescents suffering from unexplained abdominal pain.

Abdominal Pain↗

Mouse pancreatic acinar/ductular tissue gives rise to epithelial cultures that are morphologically, biochemically, and functionally indistinguishable from interlobular duct cell cultures.

Most of the pancreatic exocrine epithelium consists of acinar and intralobular duct (ductular) cells, with the balance consisting of interlobular and main duct cells. Fragments of mouse acinar/ductular epithelium can be isolated by partial digestion with collagenase and purified by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation. We investigated whether previously developed culture conditions used for duct epithelium would result in the selective survival and proliferation of ductular cells from the acinar/ductular fragments. The fragments were cultured on nitrocellulose filters coated with extracellular matrix. After 2 to 4 wk the filters were covered with proliferating cells resembling parallel cultures of duct epithelium by the following criteria: protein/DNA ratio, light and electron microscopic appearance, the presence of duct markers (carbonic anhydrase [CA] activity, CA II mRNA, the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator), the near absence of acinar cell markers (amylase and chymotrypsin), a similar polypeptide profile after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and the presence of spontaneous and secretin-stimulated electrogenic ion transport. Both duct and ductular epithelia formed fluid-filled cysts in collagen gels and both could be subcultured. We conclude that acinar/ductular tissue gives rise to ductular cells in culture by some combination of acinar cell death and/or transdifferentiation to a ductular phenotype, accompanied by proliferation of these cells and preexisting ductular cells. These cultures may be used to investigate the properties of this part of the pancreatic duct system, from which most of the pancreatic juice water and electrolytes probably originates.

Amylases↗

Cystic dystrophy of the duodenal wall developing in heterotopic pancreas: report of 9 cases.

OBJECTIVE: Cystic dystrophy in heterotopic pancreas (CDHP), an uncommon but serious complication of dilatation of the ectopic pancreatic ducts of heterotopic pancreatic tissue, occurs most often in the second part of the duodenum. This disorder is difficult to diagnose and raises various therapeutic questions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the most useful procedures for investigating suspected CDHP and to consider late results after surgical treatment by pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). METHODS: This retrospective study concerned 9 patients who developed CDHP of the duodenal wall during an 18-year period (1983-2001). All patients were symptomatic and underwent PD (no postoperative deaths). Clinical presentation, imaging findings, pathological features, and follow-up were analyzed. RESULTS: All patients but one were male alcoholics (mean age, 48 years; range, 37-63 years). The clinical presentation was abdominal pain (n = 9) associated with vomiting (n = 6), jaundice (n = 2), and weight loss (n = 9). Upper endoscopy (n = 9) showed nonspecific inflammatory lesions with duodenal stenosis (n = 4). Retrospective analysis of computed tomographic findings (n = 9) studied specific signs of CDHP and nonspecific inflammatory changes in periduodenal space. Endoscopic ultrasonography (n = 4) and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (n = 2) were the most useful investigations. Pathological findings in surgical specimens were multiple cysts located in the thickened duodenal wall (n = 9), ectopic pancreatic tissue (n = 7), fibrosis of the normal gland (n = 4), and adenocarcinoma in ectopic tissue (n = 1). During the follow-up period, 4 patients died 12, 16, 48, and 72 months after PD. The cause of death was independent of CDHP or PD, but related to persistent alcoholism in 2 cases involving chronic pancreatitis. In 1 case, the patient died of disseminated adenocarcinoma. The other 5 patients had a good result. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic ultrasonography and magnetic resonance pancreatography are the most useful investigations for the diagnosis of CDHP. Pancreaticoduodenectomy is justified after failure of medical treatment or endoscopic drainage. Late results after PD are dependent on alcoholic consumption when CDHP is associated with chronic pancreatitis.

Adenocarcinoma↗

NTP technical report on the toxicology and carcinogenesis studies of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) (CAS No. 1746-01-6) in female Harlan Sprague-Dawley rats (Gavage Studies).

DIOXIN TOXIC EQUIVALENCY FACTOR EVALUATION OVERVIEW: Polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) have the ability to bind to and activate the ligand-activated transcription factor, the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Structurally related compounds that bind to the AhR and exhibit biological actions similar to TCDD are commonly referred to as "dioxin-like compounds" (DLCs). Ambient human exposure to DLCs occurs through the ingestion of foods containing residues of DLCs that bioconcentrate through the food chain. Due to their lipophilicity and persistence, once internalized, they accumulate in body tissue, mainly adipose, resulting in chronic lifetime human exposure. Since human exposure to DLCs always involves a complex mixture, the toxic equivalency factor (TEF) methodology has been developed as a mathematical tool to assess the health risk posed by complex mixtures of these compounds. The TEF methodology is a relative potency scheme that ranks the dioxin-like activity of a compound relative to TCDD, which is the most potent congener. This allows for the estimation of the potential dioxin-like activity of a mixture of chemicals based on a common mechanism of action involving an initial binding of DLCs to the AhR. The toxic equivalency of DLCs was nominated for evaluation because of the widespread human exposure to DLCs and the lack of data on the adequacy of the TEF methodology for predicting relative potency for cancer risk. To address this, the National Toxicology Program conducted a series of 2-year bioassays in female Harlan Sprague-Dawley rats to evaluate the chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity of DLCs and structurally related polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and mixtures of these compounds. TCDD is not manufactured commercially other than for scientific research purposes. The main sources of TCDD releases into the environment are from combustion and incineration; metal smelting, refining, and processing; chemical manufacturing and processing; biological and photochemical processes; and existing reservoir sources that reflect past releases. TCDD (dioxin) was selected for study by the National Toxicology Program as a part of the dioxin TEF evaluation to assess the cancer risk posed by complex mixtures of polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and PCBs. The dioxin TEF evaluation includes conducting multiple 2-year rat bioassays to evaluate the relative chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity of DLCs, structurally related PCBs, and mixtures of these compounds. While one of the aims of the dioxin TEF evaluation was a comparative analysis across studies, in this Technical Report, only the TCDD results are presented and discussed. TCDD was included because it is the reference compound for the dioxin TEF methodology. Female Harlan Sprague-Dawley rats were administered TCDD (at least 98% pure) in corn oil:acetone (99:1) by gavage for 14, 31, or 53 weeks or 2 years. Genetic toxicology studies were conducted in Salmonella typhimurium, L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells, cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells, Drosophila melanogaster, and mouse bone marrow cells. 2-YEAR STUDY: Groups of 81 or 82 female rats were administered 3, 10, 22, 46, or 100 ng TCDD/kg body weight in corn oil:acetone (99:1) by gavage, 5 days per week, for up to 105 weeks; a group of 81 vehicle control female rats received the corn oil/acetone vehicle alone. Up to 10 rats per group were evaluated at 14, 31, or 53 weeks. A stop-exposure group of 50 female rats was administered 100 ng/kg TCDD in corn oil:acetone (99:1) by gavage for 30 weeks and then just the vehicle for the remainder of the study. Survival of dosed groups was similar to that of the vehicle control group. Mean body weights of 100 ng/kg core study and stop-exposure groups were less than those of the vehicle control group after week 13 of the study. Mean body weights of 46 ng/kg rats were less than those of the vehicle controls during year 2 of the study, and those of 22 ng/kg rats were less than those of the vehicle controls the last 10 weeks of the study. THYROID HORMONE CONCENTRATIONS: Alterations in serum thyroid hormone levels were evaluated at the 14-, 31- and 53-week interim evaluations. At 14 weeks, there were significant decreases in serum total and free thyroxine (T4) levels and increases in serum total triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). At 31 weeks, there were significant decreases in serum total and free T4 levels and increases in serum total T3 but no significant effect on TSH. At 53 weeks, there were significant decreases in serum total T4 levels and increases in serum total T3. There were no significant effects on total T4 or TSH levels. HEPATIC CELL PROLIFERATION DATA: To evaluate hepatocyte replication, analysis of labeling of replicating hepatocytes with 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine was conducted at the 14-, 31-, and 53-week interim evaluations. The hepatocellular labeling index was significantly higher in the 22 ng/kg group compared to vehicle controls at 14 weeks. At the 31-week interim evaluation, the labeling indices in hepatocytes were significantly higher in all dosed groups than in the vehicle controls. At 53 weeks, labeling indices were significantly higher in the 46 and 100 ng/kg groups than in the vehicle controls. CYTOCHROME P450 ENZYME ACTIVITIES: To evaluate the expression of known dioxin-responsive genes, CYP1A1-associated 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity and CYP1A2-associated acetanilide-4-hydroxylase (A4H) activity were evaluated at 14, 31, and 53 weeks. In addition, pentoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (PROD) activity was analyzed. Hepatic EROD, PROD, and A4H activities were significantly higher in all dosed groups relative to vehicle controls at the 14-, 31-, and 53-week interim evaluations. Pulmonary EROD was also significantly higher in all dosed groups compared to vehicle controls at 14, 31, and 53 weeks. DETERMINATIONS OF TCDD CONCENTRATIONS IN TISSUES: The tissue disposition of TCDD was analyzed in the liver, lung, fat, and blood of all animals in each group at the 14-, 31-, and 53-week interim evaluations and in 10 animals per group at the end of the 2-year study (105 weeks). The highest concentrations of TCDD were observed in the liver, followed by fat tissue. Liver and fat tissue concentrations of TCDD increased with increasing doses of TCDD. No measurable concentrations of TCDD were observed in blood from vehicle control or treated rats at any of the interim evaluations. Mean levels of TCDD in the liver and fat in the 100 ng/kg group at the end of the 2-year study were 9.3 and 3.2 ng/g, respectively. In liver tissue from the stop-exposure group, TCDD concentrations were slightly higher than those observed in the 3 ng/kg group. In the stop-exposure group, TCDD concentrations in fat were below the limits of quantitation. PATHOLOGY AND STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Absolute and/or relative liver weights were increased at 14, 31, and 53 weeks, with more severe effects occurring in the higher dosed groups. Increased liver weights correlated with increased incidences of hepatocyte hypertrophy at 14, 31, and 53 weeks. Exposure led to a treatment-related increase in hepatic toxicity with a broad spectrum of lesions. Incidences and severities of lesions increased at higher doses and longer durations of exposure. The earliest effects were increased incidences and severities of hepatocyte hypertrophy at 14 weeks. At 2 years, there was a significant increase in toxic hepatopathy characterized by increased incidences of numerous nonneoplastic liver lesions including hepatocyte hypertrophy, multinucleated hepatocytes, altered hepatocellular foci, inflammation, pigmentation, diffuse fatty change, necrosis, portal fibrosis, oval cell hyperplasia, bile duct hyperplasia, bile duct cysts, cholangiofibrosis, and nodular hyperplasia At 2 years, the incidence of hepatocellular adenoma was significantly increased in the 100 ng/kg core study group. Dose-related increased incidences of cholangiocarcinoma were seen in core study rats administered 22 ng/kg or greater. The highest incidence of cholangiocarcinoma was seen in the 100 ng/kg core study group and included a significant number of animals with multiple cholangiocarcinomas. Two cholangiocarcinomas and two hepatocellular adenomas were seen in the 100 ng/kg stop-exposure group. Two hepatocholangiomas were seen in the 100 ng/kg core study group, and one cholangioma was seen in the 100 ng/kg stop-exposure group. In the lung, the incidence of cystic keratinizing epithelioma of the lung was significantly increased at 2 years in the 100 ng/kg core study group. Nonneoplastic effects in the lung included increased incidences of bronchiolar metaplasia. The incidence of gingival squamous cell carcinoma of the oral mucosa was significantly increased in the 100 ng/kg core study group at 2 years and was accompanied by an increased incidence of gingival squamous hyperplasia. At 2 years, the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma of the uterus in the 46 ng/kg group was significantly increased, and there were two squamous cell carcinomas in the 100 ng/kg stop-exposure group. At 2 years, one acinar adenoma and two acinar cell carcinomas of the pancreas were seen in the 100 ng/kg core study group; one acinar carcinoma was seen in the 100 ng/kg stop-exposure group. The incidences of acinar cell adenoma or carcinoma (combined) exceeded the historical vehicle control range. Nonneoplastic effects in the lung included acinar cytoplasmic vacuolization, chronic active inflammation, acinar atrophy, and arterial chronic active inflammation. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)

Animals↗

Renal-hepatic-pancreatic dysplasia: a syndrome reconsidered.

Five infants, three dying neonatally and two later in the first year of life, had renal, hepatic, and pancreatic dysplasia, a combination of abnormalities first described by Ivemark et al [1959]. The renal malformation consisted of cystic dysplasia, with abnormally differentiated ducts, deficient nephron differentiation, and glomerular cysts. The hepatic abnormality consisted of enlarged portal areas containing numerous elongated biliary "profiles," with a tendency to perilobular fibrosis. Serial liver biopsies in one child with cholestasis from birth showed a progression from bile duct paucity at 1 1/2 wk to typical biliary "dysgenesis" at 7 mo. Four of the five children had intrahepatic ductal dilatation, diagnosed ante mortem in the two older children as Caroli disease. The pancreatic abnormality consisted of fibrosis and cysts, with a diminution of parenchymal tissue. The clinical and functional reflection of these abnormalities in the two children surviving the newborn period included renal insufficiency, chronic jaundice, and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Similar renal, hepatic, and pancreatic abnormalities occur in other syndromes, including trisomy 9, Meckel syndrome, Jeune, Saldino-Noonan, and Elejalde types of chondrodysplasia, and glutaric aciduria II. After exclusion of identifiable syndromes, the remaining cases of renal-hepatic-pancreatic dysplasia do not necessarily constitute a homogeneous group.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Metabolic consequences of orthotopic pancreaticoduodenal transplantation with preservation of near normal physiology.

BACKGROUND: Several case reports suggested the use of pancreaticoduodenal allotransplantation alone or in combination with multivisceral transplants to treat exocrine and endocrine deficiency after pancreatectomy for chronic pancreatitis, upper abdominal malignancies, and cystic fibrosis. Our objective was to establish the metabolic consequences of this technique. METHODS: Inbred rats, which either underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy before receiving an orthotopic duodenopancreas transplant (Tx, n= 18) or laparotomy (sham, n=18), were subjected 3 months postoperatively to oral and "isoglycemic" i.v. glucose tolerance tests with arterial blood sampling (n=12) or oral glucose tolerance test with additional portal blood sampling (n=6). Fecal fat and chymotrypsin were evaluated in the 11th postoperative week as indicators of pancreatic exocrine function in eight animals of each group. RESULTS: The incremental arterial plasma glucose integrated over a 90-min period was similar after oral and i.v. glucose in the respective groups, but was significantly lower in Tx versus sham rats after oral glucose. Incremental portal glucose was also lower after oral glucose, while hepatic glucose extraction remained unchanged. The incremental response of arterial glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide, and of arterial and portal insulin, was comparable in Tx and sham rats; also in both groups the arterial response was significantly greater with oral versus i.v. glucose, and the incretin effect for insulin was intact after transplantation. Fecal fat and chymotrypsin levels did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: 1) In the Tx rat lower incremental plasma glucose after oral glucose intake likely results from decreased intestinal glucose uptake; 2) preservation of a normal entero-insular axis of insulin together with the absence of intestinal malabsorption of lipids suggest that orthotopic transplantation of a duodeno-pancreas preserved endocrine and exocrine pancreatic function and therefore qualifies as treatment modality for the above named indications.

Animals↗

Genetic disorders of the pancreas.

The venues opened to all by the remarkable studies of the genome are just starting to become manifest; they can now distinguish different variants of a disease; they are given the tools to better understand the pathophysiology of illness; they hope to be able to provide better treatment alternatives to our patients. The examples described in this review demonstrate the applicability of these concepts to pancreatic disorders. Researchers may be just scratching the surface at this time, but the potential is enormous. Many philosophic and ethical questions need to be answered as physicians move along: Should all family members of an index case be screened? Who should pay for testing? Who should get results? But, without the participation of so many patients, their family members, and numerous volunteers, researchers would not have witnessed the bridging of so many gaps as they have so far. All of us may now look forward to the application of this incredible knowledge to the therapeutic solutions so eagerly awaited.

Apolipoprotein C-II↗

Familial fibrocystic pancreatic atrophy with endocrine cell hyperplasia and pancreatic carcinoma.

Understanding the pathology of familial pancreatic carcinoma may provide important insights into pancreatic tumorigenesis. We now describe in detail the pancreatic pathology of an autosomal dominant pancreatic carcinoma kindred with distinct clinical, genetic, and pathologic manifestations differing from all other reported forms of sporadic or familial pancreatic neoplasia. Affected individuals develop a prodrome of diabetes mellitus, pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, and characteristic pancreatic imaging abnormalities. Eleven family members have undergone total pancreatectomy, revealing a unique and characteristic fibrocystic, lobulocentric pancreatic atrophy. This was patchy to diffuse in distribution and was invariably associated with a nesidioblastosis-like endocrine cell hyperplasia. All but one resected pancreas demonstrated glandular epithelial dysplasia: 10 had low-grade dysplasia (pancreatic intraductal neoplasia grade II of III or PanIN II) and seven also had high-grade dysplasia (pancreatic intraductal neoplasia grade III of III or PanIN III). Dysplasia was multifocal in small-to medium-sized duct-like structures within areas of acinar atrophy, microcystic change, and mucinous hyperplasia. Two pancreata had carcinomas of multiple and unusual histologic subtypes, including small cell undifferentiated carcinoma and giant cell anaplastic carcinoma. The findings in this kindred yield important information on a distinctive and previously unrecognized pancreatic cancer precursor. Recognition of this entity may help identify additional kindreds and perhaps the underlying genetic defect. As is the case for other familial cancers, the as yet unknown specific genetic defect may have wider implications for pancreatic cancer in general.

Adult↗

[Digestion of fat and protein and its relation to the activity of faecal enzymes in mucoviscidosis infants under substitution therapy with pancreatic enzymes (author's transl)].

The article reports on a study to determine the influence of different dosage schedules of a pancreas enzyme preparation on the digestion of fat and protein and on the lipolytic, tryptic and chymotryptic activity of the faeces in children suffering from mucoviscidose. After administration of the pancreatin preparation at the low dose level, the quantity of faeces, the excretion of fatty acids and of nitrogen are reduced and the absorption coefficient is improved. The faecal tryptic and chymotryptic activity increases, whereas the lipase activity in the faeces merely shows a tendency to rise. Increasing the pancreatin dose up to a still tolerable value by doubling the dosage does not result in further reduction of the excretion of fat and nitrogen although it enhances the proteolytic activity of the faeces while the lipase activity remains unaffected. Determination of the lipolytic, tryptic or chymotryptic activity is, therefore, unsuitable for assessing the fat and protein digestion and for estimating the required dose of pancreatic enzyme. No increase in uric acid excretion was seen in the urine collected for 24 hours after administration of both enzyme doses.

Adolescent↗

Management of maldigestion associated with pancreatic insufficiency.

The etiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, dietary management, and drug therapy of maldigestion associated with pancreatic insufficiency are reviewed. Maldigestion can occur in a number of conditions that lead to pancreatic insufficiency but is seen most frequently in patients with alcohol-related chronic pancreatitis or cystic fibrosis. Destruction of pancreatic tissue and obstruction of the ducts that lead into the small intestine prevent pancreatic secretions from reaching the small intestine and result in weight loss, anorexia, abdominal distention, and changes in the appearance and frequency of stools. The goal of dietary intervention in patients with maldigestion is to provide sufficient calories and protein to maintain weight while limiting fat intake to an amount tht the patient can tolerate. Medium-chain triglycerides can be substituted for dietary fat in patients whose symptoms continue despite dietary fat restriction. Drug therapy involves supplementing deficient pancreatic enzymes with pancreatin or pancrelipase. Regimens must be individualized for each patient because of problems with gastric inactivation of orally administered enzymes, lack of standardization of commercially available preparations, and large interpatient variation in response. In selecting an enzyme supplement preparation, the amount of available enzyme activity, dosage form, number of dosage units needed per dose, dosage schedule, and product cost must be considered. When enzyme supplementation alone does not adequately control the symptoms of maldigestion, a histamine H2-receptor antagonist or antacids may be added to the therapeutic regimen. Although complete resolution of the symptoms of maldigestion is difficult to achieve, a regimen of dietary modification and pancreatic-enzyme replacement can improve patients' quality of life.

Celiac Disease↗

Effect of chronic reserpine treatment on the pancreases of neonatal rats.

Chronic reserpine treatment of adult rats results in the accumulation of pancreatic enzymes and reduction of their discharge. These changes are reminiscent of those in cystic fibrosis. Since the majority of cystic fibrosis patients have their pancreatic dysfunction manifested in childhood, we studied chronic reserpine treatment in rat pups. Four-day-old rat pups were given reserpine (50 micrograms/kg intraperitoneally) or vehicle daily until sacrifice. The reserpine group showed significant decreases in body weights at 14 and 21 days of age. Pancreatic weights were also decreased but were of normal weight or increased when normalized against body weights. At 14 and 21 days of age, pancreatic concentrations of amylase, lipase, and trypsinogen showed no difference between reserpine and control pups. At both ages, pancreatic contents of all three enzymes were generally less in the treated pups, but were found to be similar when corrected for body weights. Hydrocortisone treatment of 14-day-old pups caused precocious accumulation of pancreatic enzymes in both reserpine and control groups. Intestinal contents of lipase, trypsin, and amylase were decreased in the reserpine pups at 14 days of age and reached a more significant level at 21 days of age; these data suggest a decrease in the secretion of pancreatic enzymes. Dispersed acini from 14-day-old pups showed a reduced capacity to release amylase as stimulated by carbachol or the octapeptide of cholecystokinin. The results suggested that chronic reserpine treatment of pups in the suckling period did not cause significant disturbance of the developmental accumulation of pancreatic enzymes. A definite inhibition of exocrine secretion was found with reserpine treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amylases↗

NTP Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Malonaldehyde, Sodium Salt (3-Hydroxy-2-propenal, Sodium Salt) (CAS No. 24382-04-5) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Gavage Studies).

Malonaldehyde occurs as a natural metabolic byproduct of prostaglandin biosynthesis and as an end product of polyunsaturated lipid peroxidation. Toxicology and carcinogenesis studies of malonaldehyde were conducted by administering the chemical as malonaldehyde, sodium salt, a stabilized form of malonaldehyde, in distilled water by gavage to groups of F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice of each sex for 14 days, 13 weeks, and two years. The study material was 63%-79% malonaldehyde, sodium salt, 22%-38% water, and 1% or less other impurities. The water content was taken into account when the dose mixtures were prepared. Fourteen-Day and Thirteen-Week Studies: In the 14-day studies, groups of five rats and five mice of each sex were dosed with 250, 500, 750, 1,000, or 1,500 mg/kg malonaldehyde, sodium salt. Controls were untreated. Rats and mice that received 1,500 mg/kg malonaldehyde, sodium salt, did not survive to the end of the 14-day studies. No compound-related gross lesions were seen in the dosed animals. In the 13-week studies, groups of 10 males and 10 females of each species were administered 0, 30, 60, 125, 250, or 500 mg/kg malonaldehyde, sodium salt. Nine of 10 male rats, 10/10 female rats, 3/10 male mice, and 1/10 female mice that received 500 mg/kg malonaldehyde, sodium salt, died before the end of the studies. Body weights were reduced by more than 15% in rats receiving 250 or 500 mg/kg and in mice receiving 500 mg/kg. Compound-related nonneoplastic lesions were present in the stomach, testis, and kidney of rats and in the pancreas, stomach, and testis of mice. Focal and multifocal erosive lesions were observed in the gastric mucosa of the glandular stomach in the 500 mg/kg groups of male and female rats. Dilatation of the gastric glands of the stomach mucosa occurred in the 500 mg/kg male mice. Lesions of the kidney included membranous glomerular nephropathy in the 250 and 500 mg/kg male rats and the 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg female rats and mineralization in the 250 and 500 mg/kg male rats and the 60, 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg female rats. Degeneration of the testicular germinal epithelium was observed in male rats and male mice receiving 250 and 500 mg/kg. Atrophy of the exocrine pancreas was seen in the 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg male and the 250 and 500 mg/kg female mice. Based on these results, 2-year studies of malonaldehyde, sodium salt, were conducted by exposing groups of 50F344/N rats of each sex at doses of 0, 50, or 100 mg/kg, administered 5 days per week for 103 weeks. Doses of 0, 60, or 120 mg/kg were administered in the same schedule to groups of 50 male and 50 female B6C3F1 mice. Body Weight and Survival in the Two-Year Studies: Final mean body weights at the end of the study were reduced by 26% and 36% for high dose male and female rats compared with those for the vehicle controls. The final mean body weight of high dose male mice was 92% that of the vehicle controls. The final mean body weights of low dose male mice, low dose rats, and all groups of female mice were comparable to those of the vehicle controls. The survival of high dose male and female rats was significantly lower than that of the vehicle controls, with survival declining rapidly after week 76 for high dose males and after week 59 for high dose females (survival-- male: vehicle control, 37/50; low dose, 33/50; high dose, 15/50; female: 37/50; 37/50; 14/50). Survival of all groups of male mice was low (male: 24/50; 20/50; 14/50; female: 41/50; 38/50; 30/50). Survival of the high dose groups of male mice was significantly lower than that of the vehicle controls; no other significant differences in survival were observed between any groups of mice. Nonneoplastic and Neoplastic Effects in the Two-Year Studies: The incidences of a variety of nonneoplastic lesions were increased in dosed rats of each sex, primarily in the high dose male and female rat groups. These lesions were ulceration and inflammation of the glandular stomach; epithelial hyperplasia of the forestomach; inflammation of the cornea, retinal atrophy, and cataracts of the crysttion of the cornea, retinal atrophy, and cataracts of the crystalline lens; focal lipoid degeneration of the adrenal cortex; and diffuse pancreatic atrophy. Cytoplasmic vacuolization and cystic degeneration in the liver occurred at increased incidences in the high dose rat groups; in addition, the incidences of bile duct hyperplasia and bile duct fibrosis were increased in the high dose female and male rat groups, respectively. Bone marrow hematopoietic hyperplasia, hematopoiesis of the spleen, and ultimobranchial cysts of thyroid gland occurred with increased incidences in high dose female rats. The incidences of thyroid gland follicular cell adenomas or carcinomas (combined) were significantly increased in high dose male (vehicle control, 4/50; low dose, 8/49; high dose, 13/50) and female (2/50; 1/50; 7/50) rats. Follicular cell hyperplasia of the thyroid gland also occurred at an increased incidence in high dose female rats (10/50; 10/50;26/50) but not in male rats (9/50; 7/49; 7/50). The incidence of pancreatic islet cell adenomas was increased in low dose male rats (0/49; 9/50; 1/49). Adenomas and adenomas or carcinomas (combined) of the anterior pituitary gland occurred at significantly lower incidences in high dose rats than those in vehicle controls (combined incidence--male: 20/47; 14/49; 8/49; female: 18/49; 10/49; 2/48). Nonneoplastic lesions that occurred at increased incidences in dosed mice included atrophy of the pancreatic acinus and dilatation of the uterus. Depigmentation of hair shafts and change of coat color from agouti to gray were observed in high dose mice. No compound-related neoplasms were observed in dosed mice. Genetic Toxicology: Malonaldehyde, sodium salt, was not mutagenic in the Salmonella typhimurium/microsome assay when tested at doses of up to 10,000 ug/plate in a preincubational protocol using the excision-repair deficient strains TA98, TA100, TA1535, and TA1537 with or without S9 metabolic activation. The chemical induced forward mutations in mouse L5178Y lymphoma cells in the absence of S9; it was not tested with S9. Malonaldehyde, sodium salt was not mutagenic in the Drosophila melanogaster sex-linked recessive lethal mutagenicity test in which adult male flies were exposed either by feeding or by abdominal injection. In cytogenetic assays with cultured Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, malonaldehyde, sodium salt, produced a dose-related increase in the frequency of sister-chromatid exchanges both in the presence and absence of rat liver S9; no increase in the number of chromosomal aberrations was observed in CHO cells in the absence or presence of S9. Audit: The data, documents, and pathology materials from the 2-year studies of malonaldehyde, sodium salt, have been audited. The audit found no special circumstances or significant deficiencies in the conduct or documentation of the studies which needed to be taken into consideration for reporting purposes. Conclusions: Under the conditions of these 2-year gavage studies, there was clear evidence of carcinogenic activity for male and female F344/N rats administered malonaldehyde, sodium salt, as shown by the increased incidences of follicular cell adenomas or carcinomas (combined) of the thyroid gland. Pancreatic islet cell adenomas were also observed at an increased incidence in low dose male rats. There was no evidence of carcinogenic activity for B6C3F1 mice administered 60 or 120 mg/kg malonaldehyde, sodium salt, in distilled water by gavage 5 days per week for 2 years. Chemically related increased incidences of nonneoplastic lesions included ulcers and inflammation of the glandular stomach and epithelial hyperplasia of the forestomach; corneal inflammation, retinal atrophy, and cataracts of the crystalline lens; and cystic degeneration of the liver, bile duct fibrosis, and bile duct hyperplasia in rats. Most of these nonneoplastic lesions as well as the thyroid gland follicular cell neoplasms occurred primarily in the high dose rat groups, in which survival and final body weights were reduced in high dose male and female rats. Increased incidences of atrophy of the pancreatic acinus and pigmentation loss in hair shafts were seen in high dose mice. Synonyms: malonaldehyde, enol, sodium salt; propanedial, sodium; 3-hydroxy-2-propenal, sodium salt; sodium b-oxyacrolein

Journal Article↗

Serum immunoreactive cationic trypsinogen: a useful indicator of severe exocrine dysfunction in the paediatric patient without cystic fibrosis.

We evaluated serum cationic trypsinogen as a marker of exocrine pancreatic function in children without cystic fibrosis. The ability of this test to determine steatorrhoea of pancreatic origin, and its relationship to a wide range of exocrine pancreatic function were assessed. Serum trypsinogen was measured in 32 children with steatorrhoea, 10 with pancreatic and 22 with non-pancreatic causes. In patients with pancreatic steatorrhoea, serum cationic trypsinogen was 4.9 +/- 4.9 micrograms/l (mean +/- SD), significantly below values in patients with non-pancreatic steatorrhoea (47.0 +/- 22.1 micrograms/l, p less than 0.001) and 50 control subjects (31.4 +/- 7.4 micrograms/l, p less than 0.001). Serum cationic trypsinogen values in patients with pancreatic steatorrhoea all fell below the lower limit of our control range and below all values for patients with non-pancreatic steatorrhoea. Serum cationic trypsinogen was also evaluated against pancreatic trypsin output in 47 patients (range 0.2-17.0 yr who underwent a hormonal pancreatic stimulation test. In 17 patients, serum cationic trypsinogen was low (less than -2SD or less than 16.6 micrograms/l), and associated with greatly impaired pancreatic trypsin output, ranging from 0-8% of mean normal trypsin output. Five of these 17 patients did not have steatorrhoea. In 30 patients with normal or raised serum cationic trypsinogen (greater than or equal to 16.6 micrograms/l), pancreatic trypsin output ranged from 15-183% of mean normal values. In conclusion, low serum cationic trypsinogen suggests severely impaired exocrine pancreatic function, with sensitivity extending above the steatorrhoeic threshold. In the presence of steatorrhoea, low serum cationic trypsinogen indicates a pancreatic aetiology. Normal serum cationic trypsinogen, however, does not exclude impaired pancreatic function, above the steatorrhoeic threshold.

Adolescent↗

Shwachman's syndrome: pathomorphosis and long-term outcome.

BACKGROUND: Shwachman's syndrome is the second most common cause of inherited/congenital pancreatic insufficiency after cystic fibrosis. The main associated features are usually cyclic neutropenia, metaphyseal dysostosis, and growth retardation. Other organs or functions may be involved in this syndrome, showing a wide range of abnormalities and symptoms. There are reports of Shwachman's syndrome in childhood, but little is known about the long-term clinical course of these patients. This article reports on the pathomorphosis and long-term follow-up of 13 patients with Shwachman's syndrome diagnosed in infancy focusing, in particular, on modifications of the exocrine pancreatic function over time. METHODS: Exocrine pancreatic function was evaluated by duodenal intubation followed by a pancreatic stimulation test. Nutritional, biochemical, hematologic, radiologic, and psychological evaluations were performed at various intervals. Six patients were included in long-term follow-up evaluation. RESULTS: At diagnosis, growth retardation was present in all patients, and all subjects showed pancreatic insufficiency. Hematologic features (intermittent neutropenia, anemia and thrombocytopenia), respiratory infection during the first years of life, and skeletal abnormalities were also frequently observed. Other associated features at diagnosis included hepatic involvement and occasional renal dysfunction. In the six patients followed up, a significant growth improvement was observed. In five of them the pancreatic stimulation test showed values of lipase within reference range outputs, whereas fat balance or fecal fat losses were normal in all but one subject. Of seven subjects assessed by psychological evaluation, IQ test results were markedly abnormal in one and bordered on abnormality in the others. CONCLUSIONS: The present data on Shwachman's syndrome diagnosed in infancy underline the possibility of improvement or normalization of exocrine pancreatic function with age, suggesting the need for periodic checks on pancreatic activity in these subjects. It also indicates the possibility of diagnosis of this syndrome in the absence of pancreatic insufficiency; decreasing frequency of infections over time; and the usefulness of early neuropsychological evaluation.

Child, Preschool↗

Membrane potential and bicarbonate secretion in isolated interlobular ducts from guinea-pig pancreas.

The interlobular duct cells of the guinea-pig pancreas secrete HCO(3)(-) across their luminal membrane into a HCO(3)(-)-rich (125 mM) luminal fluid against a sixfold concentration gradient. Since HCO(3)(-) transport cannot be achieved by luminal Cl-/HCO(3)(-) exchange under these conditions, we have investigated the possibility that it is mediated by an anion conductance. To determine whether the electrochemical potential gradient across the luminal membrane would favor HCO(3)(-) efflux, we have measured the intracellular potential (V(m)) in microperfused, interlobular duct segments under various physiological conditions. When the lumen was perfused with a 124 mM Cl- -25 mM HCO(3)(-) solution, a condition similar to the basal state, the resting potential was approximately -60 mV. Stimulation with dbcAMP or secretin caused a transient hyperpolarization (approximately 5 mV) due to activation of electrogenic Na+-HCO(3)(-) cotransport at the basolateral membrane. This was followed by depolarization to a steady-state value of approximately -50 mV as a result of anion efflux across the luminal membrane. Raising the luminal HCO(3)(-) concentration to 125 mM caused a hyperpolarization (approximately 10 mV) in both stimulated and unstimulated ducts. These results can be explained by a model in which the depolarizing effect of Cl- efflux across the luminal membrane is minimized by the depletion of intracellular Cl- and offset by the hyperpolarizing effects of Na+-HCO(3)(-) cotransport at the basolateral membrane. The net effect is a luminally directed electrochemical potential gradient for HCO(3)(-) that is sustained during maximal stimulation. Our calculations indicate that the electrodiffusive efflux of HCO(3)(-) to the lumen via CFTR, driven by this gradient, would be sufficient to fully account for the observed secretory flux of HCO(3)(-).

Animals↗